Higher prices boost resources search

A Queensland Government geologist says more mining companies are exploring for copper gold in the state's north-west, due to strong resources prices.

Several companies are currently drilling for copper gold near Mount Isa and across the region.

Laurie Hutton from the Geological Survey of Queensland says he believes there are large deposits still to be found in the area.

"Exploring has really taken off a bit as the copper and gold prices have gone up and so there are a lot of companies out there looking," he said.

"Quite often intending to be finding a lot of smaller deposits but there are some larger deposits and some new deposits coming up, so it's starting to look very promising."

He says there are other commodities in the area which could generate economic growth.

"Not only looking at copper and gold but also commodities such as molybdenum and a commodity called rhenium which is an element which we use in more up-to-date types of technology and so it's becoming a bit broader than just simply the copper and gold story of Mount Isa," he said.